Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-18

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people regard work as the most important thing in life and have little interest in anything else. Other people are more enthusiastic about their hobbies and leisure interests than their jobs.

Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

People have different opinions about the importance of work and free time. Some think that work is the most important part of life and spend most of their time on their careers. Others believe that hobbies and leisure activities are more important than work. This essay will discuss both views and explain my opinion.

On the one hand, many people believe that work should come first. They think that working hard helps them earn more money, build a successful career, and support their families. In today's competitive world, people often need to work long hours to achieve their goals. For example, business owners and doctors usually spend a lot of time at work because they have many responsibilities.

On the other hand, some people think that hobbies and leisure activities are more important. They believe that free time helps them relax, reduce stress, and enjoy life. Activities such as playing sports, reading books, or spending time with family can improve both physical and mental health. In addition, people who have enough free time often return to work with more energy and motivation.

In my opinion, both work and leisure are important. People need to work to earn money and have a secure future, but they also need time to rest and enjoy their lives. A good balance between work and free time can make people healthier, happier, and more productive.

In conclusion, some people believe that work is the most important part of life, while others think that hobbies and leisure should be the main focus. I believe that having a balance between work and free time is the best way to live a happy and successful life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both attitudes and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically organized into distinct paragraphs. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the argument for work-life balance is sound but lacks depth or specific examples beyond general statements. To reach a higher band, you should aim to extend your arguments with more nuanced reasoning or specific real-world evidence. The position is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points while reiterating your stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In addition' effectively to guide the reader. However, the transitions are somewhat standard and mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the flow between sentences is more sophisticated. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use topic-specific terms like 'competitive world,' 'responsibilities,' and 'motivation.' However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and relies on common, everyday language. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations, such as 'professional advancement' instead of 'successful career' or 'detrimental to well-being' instead of 'reduce stress.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use complex structures, such as 'People who have enough free time often return to work with more energy,' which shows a good grasp of relative clauses. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the range of structures is somewhat predictable. To improve, incorporate a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to add sophistication to your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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